With the registration of corn rootworm (CRW) technology to combat this serious insect pest, managing your acres for rootworms has become easier than in the past. When deciding to use this technology, consider your rotation, the corn rootworm pressure in your area, your soil type and the type of genetics you intend to plant.
Because rootworm adults lay their eggs in cornfields, rotation has traditionally controlled this pest. Corn-on-corn fields have historically been treated with a corn rootworm insecticide.
The two types of rootworms that we see around are Western corn rootworm beetle and northern corn rootworm. Western corn rootworms fly out of corn fields and lay their eggs on soybeans fields, so even rotation does not help against these pests; however, this is limited to certain regions. CRW traits can reduce your risk with this insect.
We see more Northern corn rootworm here in Southern MN. This pest has reacted to rotation by laying eggs and delaying hatching until two years have passed. This way when the field is planted back into corn the larvae have a suitable food source right away. Planting CRW corn helps reduce this risk but can still be harmful.
*- Genuity SmartStax usually comes with refuge in the bag so it eliminates having to plant a separate refuge.
The traits listed above are the ones that provide rootworm tolerance. There are other traits out there but these help with CRW.
In the country we are also seeing good consistent yield and control responses to soil applied insecticides. The most common way to put an insecticide for rootworms and other soil related pests is with your starter fertilizer. The easiest way to put these down is with a liquid insecticide. The two most common are Capture and Force. Many of you probably have used Regent in the past but that is no longer an option for corn acres. For more information about Capture and Force please contact your Central Valley Agronomist!
